Al Ahli head coach Luka Bonačić believes that his side can get the better of their opponents in the QSL match of the week on Thursday evening. Speaking at the first press conference of the season, the Croatian tactician believes that his side is prepared.

“We worked hard, over the last two months in our training camps in the Netherlands and in Qatar. My side comes into this match in good fitness and form.”

That being said the 61 year old coach believes that both sides are of a similar form going into the QSL match of the week; “In my opinion my side and the opponent are the same level at the moment, it is all about what side comes into the game the best prepared and we shall see this on Thursday evening.  I am not looking for excuses, we have some injured players but we will prepare our side the best we can, I have come here to win, and we must get three points against Al Gharafa to start the season strongly.”

Bonačić is no stranger to the QSL, after enjoying a stint with Al Shahania and the veteran coach is relishing the change to manage in Qatar again; “I am coming to a big club in Qatar, in the last two months everyone has supported me and my team, in the future we shall see what happens with this squad at this point I am just excited to start the league.”
 
 
Al Gharafa head coach Pedro Caixinha has vowed that his squad will be taking the new QSL season “step by step” starting off with the QSL match of the week against Al Ahli. The charismatic Portuguese coach gave his thoughts on the tie in the first pre match press conferences of the season.

“We have not set our squad any targets this season, that way will not be limited to them the importance is that we take each game at a time step by step in targeting the three points. We will start with this aim against Al Ahli on Thursday.”

When pushed on why he was not setting a clear target for his squad, Caixinia stressed the importance of building up his side. “Rome was not built in a day you need time to build up a clubs players and confidence that is why we don’t put goals and limitations. We are just starting this project here at Al Gharafa.”

Talk turned to Gharafa’s opponents Al Ahli; “We have scouted Al Ahli ahead of the game, they have some strong professional players and a manager who has worked extensively in the region but we have done our work on them and now we have to focus on grabbing the three points and starting on the right foot.

Concluding the conference, Caixina talked up his squad ahead of the first match of the QSL season. “Football is about players, we are happy with the group which has plenty of balance. We are happy that our squad is competitive and capable to reach the ambitions of myself and the club.”